Sam and Adam Wolfpack

Samantha and Adam are part of quadruplets born prematurly, they both suffer from long term challenges. Sam is legally blind and Adam has cerebral palsy. Adam began riding at age 5 and Sam at age 8. Samantha has improved her balance and sense of direction. The best thing for Sam is her self confidence has soared and she has a great self esteem. Despite his disability, Adam has grown into a confident boy with a winning smile. He laughs easily with a sparkle in his eye that speaks of one wise beyond his years. His recent school essay about a favorite hero was about his mom because, "She's getting me a therapy dog and because she takes me to horseback riding at The Shea Center." In a physical therapy session on horseback, Adam will ride sideways - it builds trunk muscles. Or maybe he'll sit backwards on the horse and throw a ball back and forth to his therapist while the horse walks - this makes his back "sit up" and balances on his own to throw the
ball. Through his work at The Shea Center, Adam has built his core stomach and back muscles to support his body on horseback. The movement of the horse is used by the Shea staff to help Adam build strength, balance and self-esteem at the Center, which translates into progress at home with everyday activities. What may seem like small steps are in fact huge milestones.

Adam now stands on his own to brush his teeth. He stands around the breakfast table talking to his mom. He stood on the scale to be weighed at the doctor's office last month for the first time. Seemingly small steps, but in fact, they are giant steps requiring Adam to use his legs and view himself with a whole body.

Sam and Adam Wolfpack Current Totals

$0.00 Raised

$500.00 Goal

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Established in 1978 and located in Orange County, California, the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs.